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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Marshal of the RAF Sir Arthur Harris

    Sir Arthur Harris - statue

    Source: Copyright Jeremy Bartlett

    1/2

    Current Location

    St Clement Danes Church, Strand, Holborn, City Of Westminster, Greater London, WC2R 1DH, England

    OS Grid Reference

    TQ 30978 81036

    Denomination

    Church of England

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-53575

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    Type of Memorial
    Serviceman / Servicewoman
    WMR Reference Number
    53575
    Description
    Statue of Sir Arthur Harris ("Bomber Harris") in uniform, holding gloves behind his back, on a plinth with inscription on front face and a bronze plaque with further inscription on the side.
    Inscription
    West face of plinth: MARSHAL OF/ THE ROYAL AIR FORCE/ SIR ARTHUR HARRIS BT/ G.C.B. O.B.E. A.F.C./ 1892-1984/ COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF/ BOMBER COMMAND/ ROYAL AIR FORCE/ 1942-1945/ Side face of plinth: MARSHAL OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE/ SIR ARTHUR HARRIS BT GCB OBE AFC/ IN MEMORY OF A GREAT COMMANDER AND/ THE BRAVE CREWS OF BOMBER COMMAND,/ MORE THAN 55,000 OF WHOM LOST THEIR/ LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM/ THE NATION OWES THEM ALL/ AN IMMENSE DEBT
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Number Commemorated
    1
    Served
    1
    Information shown
    surname,rank,year died,regiment,forename,decorations
    Maker(s)
    • Faith Winter, Sculptor

    • Mr Mike Goss, Architect

    • Mr Tony Hart, Architect

    • Burleighfield Arts Ltd, Founder / Foundry

    Costs
    £100,000
    Sponsor Type
    public
    Maintenance History
    Oct. 1992 statue and plinth were sprayed with red paint and the word 'Shame'.

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    31 May 1992

    HM QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER

    Custodian
    1999: English Heritage

    Components

    Figure

    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    Plinth

    Made from: Stone



    • Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Arthur_Harris,_1st_Baronet
    • War Memorials Online: https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/142864/
    • London Remembers: https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/bomber-harris
    • Evening Standard 28 April 1992 Mayor of Cologne complained that the Queen Mother was to unveil the statue.
    • The Guardian 1 May 1995 p.40
    • The Times 22 Feb. 1992 p.14; 22 May 1992 p.14; 25 May 1992 pp.2,10; 27 May 1992 p.13; 29 May 1992 p.15; 30 May 1992 pp.5,15; 1 June 1992 pp. 1,5,16,18; 2 June 1992 p.2; 11 Sep. 1992 p.12; 30 Oct. 1992 22, 25, 30 May 1992. Pacifist protesters erected a statue based on Picasso's 'Dove' consisting of seven plywood doves,outside the church in protest. 1 June 1992. Report of unveiling and protests at the ceremony 30 Oct. 1992: statue vandalized
    • Private Eye No.795 p.1 (5 June 1992)